I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

“I’m not merely asking for her.”

“W-What is this?”

“The key to open one of my private safes. If you go to the address written on the key ring, you’ll be escorted straight there.”

“…” 

“I hear you want to run a business. With that money, you can start many businesses.”

“Are you suggesting that I exchange my daughter for a pittance?”

Jack pointed out in an unbecomingly firm tone.

It was too much of a waste to sell his daughter, a mage of nature, for a small sum of money.

Recognizing Jack’s intentions, Hera began to laugh aloud.

After a moment, she replied coldly. 

“Do you not understand your situation?”

“What?…Gasp!”

As soon as Jack began questioning, the man next to her aimed his sword at him.

Jack trembled with contemplation.

Hera dissuaded the man.

“Fon, let’s not be too hasty. I’ll give you a signal, and then you aim.”

“Forgive me.”

The man named Fon sheathed his sword.

Count Mussieux rubbed his nape, feeling the cold brush of it along his neck.

Hera smiled gently at Jack, who was shivering.

“Choose. Die by decapitation right here, or take the money and surrender.”

“I choose t-the l-latter!”

“I’ll always refill your money so you don’t run out. You may gamble. After all, I have enough money to keep you alive.”

Count Mussieux shuddered as he recalled that day.

It was a relief that he didn’t piss himself out of fear.

On that day, Count Mussieux would have plenty of business funds, so he met with investors and began his business.

Surprisingly, the business was booming, and after finding some stability, he wandered around a gambling house.

He was very lucky to have met a mysterious noble there.

He claimed to be a gentleman who traveled frequently, and his fine features stood out.

He was remarkably elegant. He’d never seen such a gracious man in the world.

Although it was his first time seeing him, he already felt close to him, so by the time he came to his senses, they’d become friends.

‘Huh? But what did his face look like?’

For a moment, Jack tilted his head, unable to recall the appearance of the mysterious noble.

It was clear just a while ago, but it was strange.

But now it didn’t matter whether his face was good-looking or not.

“Well, let’s begin the auction. The bidding price starts at 500,000 gold.”

Jack waited for the right moment, listening as the auction proceeded, even as he got lost in thought.

“1 million gold.” 

“1 million gold, we’ve got 1 million gold. Is there anyone else?

“3 million gold.” 

“We’ve got 3 million gold. If no one else comes forward by the third call, you’ll be declared the winner.”

“…5 million!” 

The nobles were eager to buy the bracelet, raising the price.

‘It’s just a small sum of money anyway.’

Count Mussieux crossed his legs, arrogantly leaning back in his chair.

After a while, the countdown began.

Count Mussieux grinned insidiously, as if he were the main character.

And just as it was about to be sold, Count Mussieux raised his hand and called for an amount 10 times the auction price.

Naturally, the bracelet was now in Count Mussieux’s hands.

* * *

After the tea party, Eliana left the Main Palace with a blank face.

As she wondered, her steps automatically sped up.

Eliana had been in a daze ever since learning that Count Mussieux was in charge of the ceremony.

She couldn’t even remember what was going on because she was in a state of confusion.

As she was walking in a hurry, her view was obscured, and she bumped into someone across from her.

The other person easily caught Eliana as she bounced back on impact.

Eliana apologized, flustering. “I’m sorry…”

“Eliana?”

Eliana looked, hearing the voice of the man she bumped into

That familiar silver hair stood out. Rube asked with concern,

“Did something happen?”

“No, nothing happened. What brings you to the Imperial Palace?” Eliana quickly shook her head and replied.

It seems she did not hold a good expression throughout her walk.

Gesturing his head over to the side, Rube said,

“I’m on my way out from meeting with Her Majesty.”

“I see.”

“Are you on your way back from seeing the princess?”

“Yes. And the new saintess who arrived.”

“If you’re on your way to the Main Palace, can I escort you there?”

Rube held out his arm, asking politely.

Eliana wanted to organize her thoughts by herself and rejected his offer.

“No, thank you. I’ll go by myself.”

“If that’s what Eliana wants.”

Rube put his arm down without showing any sign of embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. See you later.”

Eliana bowed lightly and carried on, moving forward.

Rube’s face was full of confusion as he watched Eliana move further away.

He would have normally persuaded Eliana, who usually refused his escorts, but he didn’t today.

It was because she had many thoughts roaming around.

He bit his lower lip.

It was as if he was desperately trying to erase his shaking mind.

But he couldn’t stop his lips from trembling.

* * *

Eliana’s worries did not fail to surface.

And very suddenly, at that.

Eliana reluctantly greeted the blond man she ran into.

“It’s been a while, Count Mussieux.”

“You don’t even wish to call me father anymore?”

Count Mussieux discreetly blamed her with a kind face.

For some reason, his nose wasn’t red, and he didn’t reek of alcohol.

“What are you doing here?”

“You ask the obvious. Would I have come to the royal villa to see you?”

“You are here to see His Majesty, then. Follow me.”

Eliana walked ahead, no longer engaging in discussion.

They unexpectedly ran into each other on her way back after meeting Mary, and she felt the journey would be long.

She felt a persistent gaze, but she feigned innocence and hurried her steps.

Then, Count Mussieux spoke in a soggy tone.

“You’ve changed a lot since the last time I saw you.”

“…” 

“After you left, I thought about it a lot. I’ve hurt you too much. I’m sorry, Eliana.”

What does he want?

Eliana stopped dead in her tracks at his sudden confession and whipped around to face him.

Count Mussieux continued, “I started a business, and it’s going well.”

“That’s great.”

“Truthfully, I’m here to see His Majesty, but I had hoped to see you more.”

“…Is there a point to this conversation?”

Count Mussieux smiled with embarrassment at Eliana’s cold words.

“I no longer drink as much. I’ll try to stop entirely if you aren’t pleased with that. So, you are always welcome to return to the Mussieux Estate.”

“No, thank you. I’m satisfied with how things are now.”

Eliana replied callously to Count Mussieux, whose head hung in shame.

Count Mussieux stared at Eliana, who was as cold as a frozen iceberg.

Eliana scanned his attire.

Even at a glance, it was more lavish than anything he had previously worn.

It seemed like his business was a real success, as he claimed.

‘But that has nothing to do with me.’

If this were the original Eliana, she would have been shaken, but the current Eliana had no affection for him.

Eliana was about to turn around when she paused to say,

“And my lord, your claim to stop drinking alcohol is the most ludicrous lie there is. If you’re truly serious, is it not your duty to quit and ask for forgiveness?”

“…” 

“I won’t be coming back. I tell you beforehand not to waste your time.”

After that, Eliana resumed her steps.

Count Mussieux followed Eliana without saying a word.

His calm reaction was a little surprising because she was expecting a rebuttal.

After leaving Count Mussieux to wait outside, Eliana entered Verkley’s bedroom.

Verkley was sitting at the table.

Eliana spoke strangely while placing Verkley’s hand on her forehead as she was used to.

“Count Mussieux is here.”

“So unexpectedly?”

“He’s in charge of the ceremony.”

“…Hmm.”

“Should I tell him to come in?”

“What do you want to do?”

Eliana’s head snapped up at Verkley’s retort.

Verkley stared down at Eliana expressionless.

She regarded him blankly for a long time, and Verkley suggested it again.

“I can write to him if you are uncomfortable.”

“You don’t have to do that. He’s not even my dad. And Your Majesty, you can’t even see, how would you write to him? Make it make sense.”

Eliana laughed it off as if it were absurd.

Verkley replied with a smile. “Can’t you do it for me instead?”

“Ohh, is this your way of dumping your work onto me?”

‘Wow, you sure do love getting things done for free…’

Eliana grumbled inwardly, her mouth turning into a pout, and he casually threw out,

“Do not worry.”

“About what?”

“Anything.” 

Verkley kissed the back of Eliana’s hand lightly, which he was holding.

Soft and warm lips on the back of her hand. A deep gaze peered down at her.

Feeling strange, Eliana abruptly rose from her seat to avoid him.

Then she walked to the doorway and allowed Count Mussieux entry.

Count Mussieux approached Verkley’s side and showed courtesy.

T/N: I decided to change “central palace” to “royal villa” as the previous word was not accurate!